So I met this guy on a tour of Europe last summer and we started hooking up then did the friends with benefits thing for about 2 months before I left to go back home, and he stayed in Europe. We've stayed in touch as friends and I went back to Europe over Christmas to visit him for about a month--I didn't expect anything but he picked up where we left off, only with even more this time, he treated me genuinely like his girlfriend the entire time instead of just hooking-up-friends like before (cuddling with me at night and in front of his friends, holding hands and kissing me in public, taking me on outings alone, etc)--I really felt like we grew a lot closer.

After coming back home after the holiday it's gotten progressively more intense but I miss him like crazy, I think about him constantly and just look forward to a possible 5 minute conversation with him. I've been casually dating at home but nothing comes close to how he makes me feel anymore. We talk whenever we catch each other online (a couple times a week or so) and we both initiate conversation equally, and we both say we miss each other and there is subtle flirting, but I haven't actually come out and told him exactly how I feel... I really want to, but because the only way I have to communicate with him is through Facebook I can't really get a perfect idea of if he feels just as strongly as I do--I'm pretty sure he at least likes me a bit but I don't know how to bring up the topic.

I'd also not be opposed to seeing how he feels about a long-distance deal but I don't know if it's worth it if I won't be able to see him in person for at least 5 months. Should I say anything to him, and if yes, how and what?

The thing about those long distant flings is that the lust only gets intensified by time and distance. You just get to wanting more and more. But before you go confessing all your feelings, see if the communications method can be improved greatly, as such things should at least be conducted if not face to face, then voice to voice, and not in quick 5 minute chats.

Things can then flow, and you can see where it leads and judge for yourself. You will know what to say, by what he says.

Try to find more time to catch each other and talk longer, with webcam too, please... Then you both may get to know more about each other, so when the right time comes, you will know what to do. Good luck!